June 23

2028

Elk Grove Village, IL

Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament

Miami University (Oxford, OH) (Information Systems and Business Analytics)

I was an IT Auditor and Consultant for one of the Big 4 accounting firms in Chicago for 2 years

English, Spanish

Traveling, learning languages, playing and watching football, playing piano, running, golfing, playing cards

I have traveled to 48 of the U.S. States and to 30 different countries.

Saint Anthony of Padua

Surrender Novena

While I was raised Catholic and attended Catholic school for 10 years, I fell away from the faith during my high school and college years. After graduating college, while going through many personal struggles in the midst of a pandemic, I had a reversion to the faith, which sparked a newfound love for Jesus Christ and His Church. It was during this experience that a friend of mine invited me to my first Bible Study, which helped me grow in love for Sacred Scripture. I also began to seek community within various Young Adult groups in the Archdiocese of Chicago. While doing so, I continued to work my job and planned to advance my career as well as pursue marriage. However, the Holy Spirit continued to invite me to be open to God’s will in my life, including my vocation.

It was in the midst of this discernment that I sought my first spiritual director, and then joined the InSearch discernment program in Chicago. After much fervent prayer, as well as hearing many priests and seminarians share their own stories, it became clear that God was calling me to take the next step by entering Seminary.

I look forward to bringing others to Christ and witnessing how He is at work in their lives, just as He is at work in mine.

During Spirituality Year, I had the privilege of being sent on a month-long poverty immersion experience in Kansas City. Going into it, I was very nervous and anxious over the idea of living off so little. Then, once arriving, I began to panic and wonder how I was going to survive. However, not only did I “make it through” the month, but I grew in detachment of the comfort I am used to and more importantly, in trusting the Lord and how He provides, especially through the generosity of others. I hope to carry the graces I received from this experience throughout my life going forward.

Please pray that I may continue to prayerfully discern God’s will and surrender myself more fully to Him.